Olympics 2026: Meet the Team USA Athletes Going for Winter Gold

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It isn’t all downhill from here.

Oh my gosh, the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina are going to be AMAZING! It all kicks off February 4th with Alpine skiing, and yes, there’s going to be SO much downhill action, but honestly, it’s not just that! We’re talking Super-G, giant slalom, and then all the other incredible sports – snowboarding, cross-country, curling, figure skating, speed skating, hockey… seriously, the list goes on and on! Nearly 3,000 athletes will be there, and I can’t wait to cheer on the 232 representing the US! I’m already counting down the days!

Team USA isn’t usually predicted to win as many medals at the Winter Olympics as they do in the Summer Games, but this year’s team is packed with talented athletes ready to compete for gold in events like skiing, skating, and bobsledding. They’re heading to northern Italy determined to give it their all.

Olympic veterans like Chloe Kim, Red Gerard, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Hilary Knight are hoping to medal again, potentially for the last time. At the same time, many new athletes are competing for their very first Olympic medal.

After a 20-year gap, the U.S. hopes to win an individual medal in women’s figure skating. Leading the charge are three-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu, the 2025 world champion who briefly retired in 2022 before deciding she missed the sport too much.

Even though Nathan Chen, known as the “Quad King,” isn’t competing in Milan to defend his 2022 Olympic title, Ilia Malinin—often called the “Quad God”—is a strong contender to continue the U.S. men’s winning streak. Remarkably, Malinin wasn’t even on the team four years ago.

The 20-year-old skater explained to Olympics.com that he approaches challenges by staying relaxed and adaptable. He says this helps him avoid worrying about what might happen and keeps him focused on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in future possibilities.

Lindsey Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, is continuing to pursue her skiing career, even after a serious knee injury. Eight years after what she believed would be her last Winter Olympics, the 41-year-old plans to compete in at least the women’s downhill event, despite rupturing her ACL in a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th. She’s taking things one day at a time as she recovers and prepares.

Speaking to reporters on February 3rd, Vonn explained that her recent crash has changed her outlook. While acknowledging her odds have decreased, she remains hopeful and determined to continue pursuing her goal as long as there’s any possibility of success.

We’ll soon see new, unexpected athletes become fan favorites. But for now, here’s a look at the Team USA members to keep an eye on as the Winter Olympics begin:

Mikaela Shiffrin, a three-time Olympic medalist, is determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She’s aiming for a strong showing after a disappointing performance at the 2022 Beijing Games and a serious crash last November where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery.

In a December interview with TIME, Mikaela Shiffrin explained that she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. She understands that even with perfect preparation, a medal isn’t guaranteed. However, she feels a strong connection with her coaches and support team, which gives her confidence that they can overcome any challenges together. She believes that’s all she can ask for.

Mikaela Shiffrin has been supported for years by Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and they are now engaged to each other.

He keeps telling me to stay positive and that everything will be alright, she shared with Olympics.com. Especially last season, I doubted whether coming back was the right thing to do, and if I was pushing myself too hard, too soon. He reassured me that I know my own limits and that I’m giving it my all, and that it’s okay if it doesn’t work out.

After struggling with knee injuries throughout her career, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She was a five-time Olympian, earning a gold medal in downhill skiing and a bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Winter Olympics, followed by another bronze in downhill at the 2018 Games.

After a successful partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved the pain she’d lived with since her first knee surgery in 2013, she rediscovered her desire for speed.

Honestly, people don’t get it. Boarding is fun, sure, but it’s not the same rush as actually flying down a mountain, you know? And yeah, I’ve built a good life, I’ve got investments and everything, but nothing – nothing – will ever compare to skiing. I totally accept that, and I’m okay with it. But I’m going to soak up every single second of this last run, this last bit of pure adrenaline, because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. It’s just… different. It’s everything.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen a lot of incredible comebacks, but Vonn’s recent crash in Switzerland really had me worried. When she went down during that World Cup race on January 30th and needed to be airlifted off the mountain, it honestly looked like her return to competition might be over before it truly began.

Despite tearing her left ACL, the experienced athlete announced she’s healthy enough to compete in the women’s downhill race on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting skiing, snowboarding, and sliding events, while Milan will host skating and curling, among other sports. She had previously stated she was prepared to risk everything to compete.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared she wouldn’t give up. Despite the difficult situation, she emphasized her strength and determination, stating she was remaining positive and would give it her all.

Oh my gosh, Jessie Diggins is everything! She’s the most amazing cross-country skier America has ever seen, and this is it – her last Olympics! I’m seriously going to be a wreck watching her compete, knowing this is the final time. It’s incredible to think about everything she’s accomplished, and I’m just so excited (and sad!) to see what she does in these Games.

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post on January 31st, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their principles each day. They dedicated their efforts to those who show care and compassion to others, stating that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their country. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After she retires, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being home with her husband.

Seventeen-year-old Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing, and although he didn’t medal, he’s now a strong contender to win gold in several events at the Milan Cortina Games. These include the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter races, plus the mass start race—a longer, 16-lap, 6,400-meter competition.

As a performance coach, I always tell athletes to focus on executing their best, and that’s exactly what this young athlete is doing. He recently shared with me that if he can deliver flawless performances, he feels incredibly confident in his ability to win gold – and honestly, I agree with him! He’s dealt with intense pressure before, so the weight of expectation doesn’t seem to faze him. He’s really just focused on staying clear of any unexpected obstacles and letting his training take over, which is a fantastic mindset to have.

Four years after making history at the Beijing Winter Olympics – becoming the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal – 500-meter champion Erin Jackson will carry the American flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Games. She will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca.

The 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida, said it’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally. She explained that this moment isn’t just about her, but about her family, team, hometown, and all Americans who believe in the positive impact of sports.

Okay, so she’s not retiring yet, thank goodness! But seriously, even after she does hang up her skates, she’s planning to start an organization to help young Black athletes get into speed skating. Can you believe it? It’s amazing! She just wants to give back and help the next generation chase their dreams, and honestly, that makes me love her even more. It’s not just about winning for her, it’s about making the sport accessible to everyone!

Representation is incredibly important because it allows people to see themselves succeeding, and that hasn’t always been the case in winter sports, especially speed skating. I’m proud to be a visible role model and inspire others to get involved in the sport. I’m committed to helping create opportunities for others to experience the joy of winter sports.

Kim suffered a minor labrum tear in January when she dislocated her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but she wasn’t letting that keep her from competing in her fourth Olympics. There, she’s aiming to win her third gold medal in the women’s halfpipe event.

The 25-year-old athlete from Torrance, California, expressed disappointment in a video posted on January 13th that she won’t be able to snowboard again until just before the Olympics, which will make preparation difficult. She acknowledged she hasn’t had as much practice as she’d hoped, but remains optimistic.

She anticipates a relaxed period leading up to the 2026 Games. In an interview with NBC Olympics on January 22nd, she explained that she was currently at home and planned to travel to Europe early the following week for some training before heading to Milan for the event.

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like,” said Kim, who has been snowboarding since she was a child, “but it feels like everyone becomes the best version of themselves.

Gerard first won an Olympic gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games when he was 17 years old. Now a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to carry that success to his third Olympic appearance.

The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and in great shape. She also expressed how rewarding it is to have been part of Team USA since age 13 and now be able to mentor the younger athletes with her experience.

When it comes to competing at the Olympics, Gerard focuses on treating it like any other competition. He acknowledges it’s a much larger event with more attention, but ultimately, the snowboarding itself doesn’t change. He tries to stay focused on his own performance, blocking out the pressure and approaching it the same way he always has.

At 31, the halfpipe competitor is aiming for gold at his third Olympic Games, hoping to add to his previous silver (2018) and bronze (2022) medals.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win a gold medal. He told the Daily Express that he’s entering the games healthy for the first time, unlike his previous two attempts where he was injured – he broke his collarbone weeks before one games and sprained his ankle before another. He feels more prepared now, noting he’s older and incredibly focused.

Beyond his sister Lourdes and athletic parents – Marcelo, a former professional soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive relay racer – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.

“The thing I love most about Brandy is that she’s not counting medals,” Ferreira, an ambassador for Nulo pet food, said in an interview for the brand. “She’s just wagging her tail when I get home, so she’s there for me—the good, the bad, the ugly, everything—and I absolutely need her.”

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, returning as the gold medalist in slopestyle. This comes four years after he placed 16th in the same event at the 2018 Games, and represents a significant improvement in his performance.

Besides potentially winning another slopestyle gold—which he famously keeps in his sock drawer—the laid-back 27-year-old athlete is also hoping to do better than his eighth-place finish in Big Air at the 2022 competition. He says repeating his gold medal win would be incredible.

In an interview with POWDER magazine in October 2025, Hall expressed his excitement about the return of the Olympics to Europe, particularly the prospect of skiing on quality snow amidst impressive mountain scenery – something the last two Olympics lacked. He also shared a personal connection to the upcoming games, noting that his mother is from Bologna, Italy, and many of his family members who still live there plan to attend, which he anticipates will be a wonderful experience.

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

She always knows who to ask for help, whether it’s about getting better at her sport or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to hear about Patti and Scott Kauf! Patti is seriously amazing – she won TWO championships on the World Pro Moguls Tour, and get this, she was PREGNANT with her daughter while competing! Scott was incredible too, racking up FIVE titles of his own. But Patti didn’t stop there! After moguls, she totally crushed it in skicross, bringing home THREE X Games bronze medals. They are a legendary ski family, honestly!

Jaelin wasn’t like most babies when she was born; she preferred being bounced instead of rocked, according to her mother, Patti, in an interview with NBC Olympics.

Jaelin confessed to Teton Gravity Research in November 2025 that she didn’t initially love mogul skiing. She always preferred a fresh powder day. However, watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was a viable path for herself. She realized not everyone has that example or support, but she always felt confident she could pursue it.

Team Jaelin also includes her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, a two-time Olympic skier who is now retired, and his brother Bryon Wilson, who won a bronze medal and currently coaches Kauf.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

The 40-year-old, originally from Calgary, represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success with gold medals in 2010 and 2014, followed by a bronze in 2018.

In 2019, she surprised everyone in the sports world by announcing her departure from the Canadian national team after 16 years. She explained that she was concerned for her safety due to a negative and harmful atmosphere within the team leading up to the 2018 Olympics.

In 2019, Humphries began competing for the U.S. team while also maintaining her Canadian citizenship, stating she didn’t intend to choose between the two countries.

She clarified that her love for Canada hasn’t diminished, but she’s capable of loving someone and something new just as deeply. Having lived in the U.S. for four years, she found love with an American, whom she married. Now, life has presented them with new paths, and they’re making choices about their future together.

Elana Humphries became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and then went on to win a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in the very first Olympic monobob event—a one-person bobsled race.

This will be her fifth Olympic Games, and the first since becoming a mother. She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June 2024.

For years, I heard the same thing over and over: have a baby, and your athletic career is over. People would say your body would change too much, both physically and mentally, and you’d never be able to get back to your peak performance. Honestly, that used to be the accepted truth. But we’re starting to show that’s just not the case anymore. You can have a baby and still pursue your athletic goals – you don’t have to choose!

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now a personal escape. Since becoming a mother with her husband, Nic Taylor, to son Nico in 2020 and then Noah in 2022, she finds time for herself through the sport. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf – a condition caused by a genetic trait both parents unknowingly shared until Nico’s birth.

Even though her home life was incredibly hectic, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to see what she did at work.

“The challenges they’ll face are beyond what I can imagine,” the 41-year-old explained to The Athletic. “I hope they learn that even when things get tough, you can still chase your goals. I want them to see my successes – the medals I’ve earned – but also to witness my struggles, my setbacks, and my determination to keep going.”

Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has won five Olympic medals – four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in monobob at the 2022 Games – she’s still hoping to earn her first gold medal.

Skeleton racing is undeniably cool – it’s a sport where athletes slide headfirst down an icy, winding track at speeds reaching 90 mph.

Ro, who became the first American to win a medal in skeleton at the IBSF World Championships in 12 years (in 2025), initially didn’t believe she’d actually won.

I remember my very first time trying skeleton back in 2016 – they’d told me I was too small for bobsled, so I gave it a shot. The coach walked me up to the starting line, gave me the nod, and suddenly everything just blurred. It was so fast, I couldn’t see a thing, couldn’t even think! I finally reached the bottom and honestly, my first thought was, ‘That’s it, I’m done! No way am I doing that again!’

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is now competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

I’m a huge fan of Ro, and it’s amazing how she balances everything! She’s one of eleven kids – she has a twin sister who’s just 14 minutes younger! When she isn’t busy training and competing, she works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. It’s so common for athletes in sports that don’t get a ton of publicity to have to work other jobs to make ends meet, and she’s no different – she’s just incredibly dedicated.

I’m completely immersed in that environment – I work and train there constantly,” she said. “Tourists really enjoy the tours because they’re led by an athlete who offers a special, insider’s view. It’s a great experience, but the income from tours won’t be enough to fully fund my training and competition expenses.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this about Ilia! His parents were both incredible figure skaters – like, Uzbekistani champions! He started skating when he was just six years old, but honestly? He was a total soccer kid at heart. He’d rather have been outside playing with his friends in Virginia than stuck in a freezing rink! Can you imagine?! Even with that background, he still needed convincing to fully commit. It’s just… amazing.

At age 17, he achieved a historic feat at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic by becoming the first—and so far only—skater to successfully land a fully rotated quadruple axel in an international competition.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four quadruple jumps in a single program several times. With Nathan Chen, previously known as the “Quad King,” not competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Malinin is currently the top U.S. male skater with a strong chance of winning another individual gold medal.

Okay, so it still stings, you know? Four years ago, he should have been on Team USA, seriously! But he’s not letting that get him down. He’s completely focused now, doing everything he can to make sure he absolutely crushes it and proves everyone wrong. He’s determined to be amazing, and I, for one, know he will be!

I don’t focus on winning medals when I compete,” Ilia Malinin explained on the USA Today podcast, Milan Magic. “I concentrate on giving a strong performance and doing my job as a skater. I make sure I’m well-prepared so I can skate my best. If I skate cleanly, I figure the medals will take care of themselves.”

After competing in the Beijing Olympics and World Championships – where she earned a bronze medal – Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Looking back on my decision to retire at 17, it really started when I was just five years old – I dedicated my life to training and honestly didn’t stop for over a decade. Because I was homeschooled my entire life, it allowed me to fully commit. But it also meant a lot of sacrifice. I’m a really social person and thrive on connection with others, yet for years I lived a pretty isolated life, without family or friends nearby, all in pursuit of my training goals. It was a trade-off, and something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately.

She explained that she had very little control over her training and appearance, often being put in outfits she disliked. She felt she was treated like a doll, forced to participate in the Olympics not for her current self, but out of a sense of obligation to the dreams of her younger self.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive spirit during a January ski trip. By March 2024, she was officially back in training. The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, then went on to win a gold medal at the 2025 World Championships. Now, she’s aiming to help the U.S. women’s team break their 20-year streak without an individual medal—and ideally, win another gold—at the 2026 Games.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

This Olympic Games marks a special occasion for the couple: it’s their fourth time competing together, and their first since they got married in June 2024.

In December, Chock explained to TopMob News that getting married strengthened their bond and dedication to both each other and their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has allowed them to truly work as partners, supporting each other’s goals both on and off the ice.

Although they helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the three-time world champion pair haven’t yet earned an Olympic medal for themselves.

We’ve been working incredibly hard and dedicating a lot of time and effort,” Bates shared with TopMob, “but we truly appreciate every day and the chance to do what we do.

Although both the 36-year-old skater and his 33-year-old partner haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they’re nearing the end of their competitive careers.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotions of the event and their 15-year partnership. They said that skating well was the best reward, but they also wanted to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last competition. They ultimately won gold at the event.

The veteran U.S. women’s hockey player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. At 36 years old, this will be her fifth Olympic Games, making her the American hockey player—male or female—with the most Olympic appearances.

Although she’d love to win another gold medal, Knight emphasized to Today.com that many of her teammates are Olympic first-timers. She’s focused on making sure everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. She believes that getting the most out of their talented players will be key to the team’s success and allow them to reach an elite level of performance.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, she currently plays hockey for the Seattle Torrent in Washington. However, she and her partner, Brittany Bowe – a veteran speed skater competing in her fourth and final Olympics shortly before turning 38 on February 24th – have made their home in Salt Lake City.

As elite athletes, you develop a strong sense of what others need – whether it’s encouragement or time to themselves,” Knight shared with NBC Olympics in June 2025. “Having both competed at a high level for so long also helps us to understand each other’s perspectives.

This mixed doubles curling team, formed after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is heading to their first Games together. They’ve already proven themselves as strong competitors, finishing fifth at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and winning a world championship in 2023. They believe a key to their success is not only their skill and dedication, but also how well their personalities complement each other.

Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, 30-year-old Dropkin explained to reporters how well she and her teammate, Cory, work together. They’ve found a way to stay relaxed and focused on the present. They also complement each other’s personalities – someone recently described them as ‘the calm and the fire.’ Cory brings a steady, confident presence to the ice, while Dropkin contributes a more energetic and passionate style, and the combination works perfectly.

He and his wife, Thiesse, who married Sam Thiesse in June 2022, live in Duluth, Minnesota. They both work regular jobs to support their passion for curling.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Dropkin is a realtor, which is cool, but Thiesse? She’s a lab tech, testing mercury in wastewater! Can you believe it?! She told ABC 10 in Duluth that she’s just so thankful to have a job that lets her chase her real dream – curling! She and Dropkin have been dreaming about this since they were little kids! It’s so inspiring, seriously. I’m obsessed with their story!

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2026-02-04 15:20